President’s Message – April-June 2019

Angie Blackley
President

Well, 2019 is underway and the Network in Aging is no exception to the excitement the New Year has brought. Beginning with the January Social held at the Pierce Arrow Museum, we had nearly 130 in attendance that included both members and their guests. This event was wonderful and the exhibits, food and networking were top notch. Kudos to the Special Events committee.

Not to be out done is the Network with the Network committee and the Education Committee as they are busy planning the next several events to come.

One such event was held on April 10th.. The Education committee planned a well-received FREE open forum entitled – ‘Health Across All Policies and Healthy Aging in NYS’. This well attended event highlighted Governor Cuomo’s 2017 State of the State address. In this address he directed state agencies to employ a more proactive and interactive approach to improving New York’s overall population health to become the healthiest state in the country. With this $15 million incentive the Governor is looking to how all of the policies, programs, and initiatives support New York State’s aging population developing a blueprint to reduce health disparities and improve the health of all New Yorker’s. Guest speakers Greg Oslen-Acting director for NYS Office for Aging and Randall Hoak-Associate State Director Community Outreach at AARP address how this would be implemented benefiting seniors in NYS.

The Networking committee has planned an event that will be held at The Lockport Presbyterian Home on April 17th from 4:30-6:30pm with a “Sweet Spring” theme. It will be sponsored by Presbyterian Senior Care, Oasis Senior Advisors and Sheridan Benefits.

Following close behind on May 9th, the Networking committee has planned a fun filled evening called “Learn About You”, a progressive dinner event held at The Barrel Factory in Buffalo from 4:30pm to 8:00pm for members only. It promises to be a wonderful networking event where you can highlight yourself and your agency or business to other members in attendance. The format is based on the premise of speed dating but is networking instead. Registration is underway and 40 spots are still available. It’s sponsored by Allegra Cheektowaga, The Olear team/MJ Peterson, Elderwood and Mount Calvary Cemetery. Be sure to bring plenty of business cards.

On May 14th from 12:00pm-4:30pm, the Education committee will present a workshop –‘Anxiety and Depression in Older Adults’ – What we know & Available Mental Health Resources. Cost is $25 that will include lunch and will be held at Meals on Wheels a program FeedMore of WNY. Keynote speaker is Dr. Mark Gunther, PhD, Psychologist at ECMC along with a panel of 9 local service providers. Don’t miss this informative event!

Save the date for June 5th for a fun Network event at the Historic Riviera Theater in North Tonawanda from 4:30pm-6:30pm. There will be food, drink, music and backstage tours of this beautiful building as well as a free concert by the ‘Mighty Wurlitzer’. This will be sponsored by M&T Bank – Reverse Mortgage, MJ Peterson/The Olear team, Amazing Home Care, Magavern Magavern Grimm LLP & ACSIA Partners – Dana Dee.

Coming in early July on Tuesday the 2nd from 4:30-6:30pm BlueCross and BlueShield of WNY will sponsor a summer Network with the Network event held at their beautiful bamboo atrium downtown on Genesee St., Buffalo. Celebrate Independence Day with a ‘Cornhole’ Tournament and other fun events. Visit the Network in Aging web site for additional details.

And don’t forget the much anticipated Taste of the Network on Tuesday, July 23rd from 12pm-2pm. This is our annual culinary cook off where chefs/cooks from our member agencies compete in winning awards in different food categories. It also gives you the chance to taste all of their tidbits for just $15.00!

Visit the Network website to obtain additional information on any of these events and remember to “Like Us” on Facebook and visit us on “LinkedIn”. All the Network in Aging committees are working hard to develop exciting enhancements that will benefit our members.

The Network Board of Directors are dedicated in keeping the recently restructured Strategic Plan working for members by providing these events and future events to come. Come Join Us.

Remember-“A Comfort Zone is a Beautiful Place but Nothing ever Grows There”-unknown author.